Toggle press



A. J. WACHT TOGGLE PRESS Dec. 23, 1958 Filed Aug. 16, 1956 6Sheets-Sheet 3 HIH INVENTOR. fln kauf M9 c'vr Dec. 23, 1958 A. J.wAcI-IT 2,865,285

TOGGLE PRESS Filed Aug. 16, 1956 a Sheets-Sheet 4 I I I I ,3

l -I I v I I I I I I l I I I I I I INVENTOR. JA/ AEa/ W40 Dec. 23, 1958J, w g 2,865,285

. TQGGLE PRESS Filld Aug. 16, 1956 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mmvrm Mmw/ W q Xm4) M A. J. WACHT TOGGLE PRESS Dec. 23, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug.16, 1956 INVENTOR. m' n-w Z 140/7 4 from/5) United States Patent TOGGLEPRESS Andrew J. Wacht, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 16, 1956, Serial No. 604,487 7 Claims. or. 100-272 Myimprovement pertains to a press in which the ram may be first manuallyadjusted to a suitable distance from the bolster plate of the press, butin which a toggle, operated by power means, is employed to actuate theram in its operative stage to the limit of its movement.

The object of my improvement is to provide a press in which, by way of apreliminary operation, the ram may be quickly adjusted to any desiredheight with respect to the position of the bolster plate while thetoggle is operatively disconnected, but in which the toggle isautomatically brought into play on the downward stroke of the ram.

A further object of the improvement is to provide a press in which themeans ordinarily used to support a bolster plate or an equivalent membermay be dismantled and shifted out of place to permit positioning of thebolster plate or an equivalent member at a level of the base of thepress or materially lower below the normal level of such a bolsterplate.

I shall now describe my improvement with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the press as mounted upon a wheeledplatform;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of said press;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the togglemechanism and means operatively connected for the operation of the ramin a press in which the framework is slightly modified;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the same togglemechanism and elements operatively connected thereto, the viewdisclosing said mechanism and said elements in different operativepositions;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of the frameworkof the press, as shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken off to discloseoperative parts therein;

Fig. 6 is a front view of one link of a toggle;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7--7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a toggle-locking element;

Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a short rack adapted to co-operate withthe toggle mechanism;

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a member to which the rack shown in Fig.9 is pivotally connected;

Fig. 11 is a top view of a vehicle on which the press shown in Fig. 1 ismounted, the view including dismount-' able props for support of abolster plate;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the press shown inFig. 2, the view including the outlines of molds secured to members ofthe press and the outline of an object formed in said molds;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view on line 13--13 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of elements shown below said line13-43 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of two racks employed to press;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on line 16-16 of Fig. 10.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

'l'ice Prior to the detailed description of the operative elements ofthe press, I want to state that the toggle mechanism shown in thedrawings may form a separate unit which when enclosed in a suitablehousing, may be mounted upon a conventional arbor press for theoperation of the ram of said press. However, for the sake of avoidingany confusion, the present specification is directed to a press in whichthe framework includes a space for said toggle mechanism.

The framework 8 of the press shown in. Fig. 1, consists of a verticalstand of channel-like construction, including two flat walls 10, eachincluding a laterally-extending flange 11, the walls being disposedparallel to each other and rising from a base 12. .The stand resembles acrane by reason of an overhanging horizontal portion in which two arms13 are connected at the front by a heavy plate 14. The two arms 13, eachof which contains an open area 13a, and the front plate 14 form ahousing for the operative elements of the press. The housing extendsupwardly above the level of said arms 13 and includes, at the top, aWall 15 slanting downwardly from the back portion of the frame. The wallis provided with an aperture 9 to which I shall refer again.

I shall now refer to the drawings in Figs 3 and 4 in which the wall 15is shown resting on rails 15a. Disposed within the upper end of theframework of the press is a cylinder 16 which at one end is pivotallyhinged to said framework by means of a pin 17. The cylinder is connectedto a source of a fluid medium serving for the operation of areciprocating piston within said cylinder. While the piston itself isnot shown, numeral 18 indicates a rod which at one end is connected tosaid piston and which projects outwardly therefrom. At its outer end thepiston is pivotally connected, as shown at 19, to a lever 20 at a pointintermediate the ends thereof. The lever itself is mounted pivotallyupon a pin 21 within a vertical slot in a stationary block 22 within therear portion of the frame.

At the opposite end, the lever is hinged, by means of a short link 23,to the knuckle pin 24 joining the two toggle arms 25 and 26,respectively. The arm 25 is pivotally secured, at its outer end, to astationary block 28, while the outer end of the other arm 26 is securedto a transverse shaft 29. Said arm 26, best shown in Fig. 7, includesside flanges 31 and a centrally-located rib 32, the lower end of the armbeing formed into an arcuate-shaped foot 33 for engagement with saidshaft 29 to which said foot is secured by bolts 34.

The end portions of the shaft 29 fit into slots 35 in two parallelbrackets 36 upon a cross-member 37 at the top of a short swing rack 38,shown in Fig. 9. Projecting from the outer side of each bracket are twoshoulders 39, one shoulder being located on one side of said slot 35 andthe other shoulder being located on the other side of the slot, eachshoulder being defined by a horizontal flat bottom surface 39a. Inaddition, each bracket is provided with a slotted ear 40, the latterbeing provided with a bearing 41 to which I shall refer again. Returningto the shaft 29, I want to point out that each end portion of the shaft29 projecting beyond the respective bracket has two annular grooves 42and 43, as shown in Fig. 6, the grooves adjoining each other.

Located upon each end of the shaft 29 is a member, best shown in Fig. 8and generally marked 44. The member has the form resembling anarrow-head, and includes a short stem 45 and a head 46 which has twooutwardly-flaring wings 47, each of being defined, in part, by astraight line for abutment with the surface 39a of the respectiveshoulder 39 on bracket: 36. The head 46 contains a circular aperture 48of a diameter to fit over either end portion of the shaft 29, while thestem 45 contains a bore 49 opening radially into said aperture facingsaid short rack 38, the beam has a 48. A steel ball 50, dropped into thebore 49 as shown in Fig. 6, is of a size to fit into one of the annulargrooves 42 or 43, while a coiled spring 51, retained in the bore by athreaded closure 52, serves to urge the ball in the respective groove 42or 43, as the case may be.

At the top, said arm 26 is hinged to the upper arm 25 of the toggle bymeans of the already-identified pin 24, said pin serving also as a meansfor a pivoted connection with a link 23. At each end said pin 24 isprovided with an annular groove 53 for reception of a retaining ring 54shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The ears 40 are pivotally connected to a pair of vertical cars 55 upon ahorizontally-disposed beam 56 which is rectangular in verticalcross-section. The end portions of the beam fit into oblong verticalslots 57 in the side walls of the housing at the upper end of theframework of the press, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. One one side,

recess 58 defined at the top by a downwardly-slanting roof 59, therecess being open downwardly. At the other side, opposite said recess,the beam is provided with two integrally-formed bars 60 which aredisposed vertically in a spaced relation to each other. Mounted withinthe space between said bars are rollers 61. In addition thereto, thebeam contains a horizontal recess 61a in the direction from one end tothe other, and disposed within the recess 61a is a shaft 62, whichintermediate its ends forms a pinion 63, the pinion being locatedopposite said rollers in a spaced relation thereto. Mounted upon theshaft 62, externally of the side wall of the frame, is a wheel 64 formanual operation of the pinion 63. An isometric view of the beam isshown in Fig. 10, the beam being slightly modified from the one shown inFigs. 3 and 4, inasmuch as the bars 60 in the beam as shown in Fig. 10rise above the body portion of the beam. However, the detail is of noconsequence.

Projecting from the beam 56 in the direction of the rear, as shown inFig. 3 of the frame are two arms 66, the two arms straddling the recess58 within said beam 56, each arm being at its end connected by means oftwo short links 67 and 68 to a lug 69 below the respective bracket 36 atthe top of the short rack 38. The two links 67 and 68 are disposed in anend-to-end relation, as best shown in Fig. 4. Link 67, which at one endis pivotally connected to link 68, is connected, midway its length, tothe arm 66, and includes at the end remote from said link 68, a spur 70.

I shall now refer to the stationary block 22 which has already beenidentified in the course of this specification. Contained in a verticalslot 71 in said block, as shown in Fig. 3, is a bar 72 which isfulcrumed upon a transverse pin 73. At one end the bar extends out ofthe framework of the press and is pivotally connected to the lower endof a vertically-disposed bolt 74, as shown at 75. The bolt is threadedthrough a bracket 76 extending from the framework 8. Numerals 77 and 78indicate a pair of adjusting nuts upon the bolt above the top surface ofsaid bracket. At the opposite end the bar 72, in a recess 79, the barcontains a pawl 80 which at one end is pivotally secured in place bymeans of a pin 81, while the other end of the pawl projects outwardlyunder the tension of a coiled spring 82. A spring 90, secured to theblock 22 by a screw 91, bears against the bar 72 from below.

Located in another vertical slot 83 in the same block 22, as shown inFig. 4, and pivotally secured therein by means of a pin 21, is an arm 84which, at the opposite end, is attached to the lower end of a verticalyoke 35. The yoke itself has the shape of an inverted letter U,including two arms, each of which has an eye at the lower end forreception of a removable cross-pin 85a. The yoke is suspended at the topfrom an integrallyformed rod 86 which passes through a bushing 87 in atransverse rail 88 in the upper portion of the framework of the press.The upper end of the rod is threaded and provided with a nut 89.

I shall now refer to the ram of the press. The ram includes ahorizontally-disposed member, generally marked 92, at the lower end ofthree vertical racks, one of which, marked 93, is disposed in the frontportion of the press, the other two racks 94 being located rearwardlythereof. The relative positions of the racks are best shown in Fig. 13.

The member 92 consists of two plates, a bottom one 136, which isrectangular in shape, and the upper, triangular one 137. The two platesare held together by means of screws 138. The triangular top plate isunder cut at each corner to leave a free space 139 between the upperplate and each corner portion of the upper plate. in addition thereto,each corner portion of the upper plate contains an aperture 140 forreception of the lower end 141 of the respective rack. Furthermore, thelower end of each rack is threaded for application of two nuts by meansof which the racks are secured to said member 92. One of said nuts, 142,is applied to the rack within the free space 139, the others, 143, beingapplied to the rack on top of the upper plate. One of the objects of thetwo nuts is to secure the racks 93 and 94 to the member 92. The otherobject is to permit minute vertical adjustment of each individual rackfor best operative engagement of its teeth with the teeth of therespective pinions already named herein.

The rack 93 passes vertically through the space between two verticalbars 60 of the beam 56, the back surface of the rack bearing against therollers 61, while the teeth of the rack are in engagement with the teethof pinion 63. Within the lower portion of the housing enclosing thetoggle mechanism, the rack is in engagement with a pinion 95, the latterhaving the form of a fluted shaft which is supported in a suitablebearing 96.

Mounted upon one end portion of the shaft is a hand wheel 97 and asprocket wheel 98. A similar sprocket wheel is axially mounted upon theopposite end of the shaft. Two endless chains 99, one on each sprocketwheel, connect said wheels with similar sprocket wheels 100 at theopposite ends of a shaft fluted to form a pinion 101. The shaft isjournalled for rotation in bearings in blocks 102 within the above-saidhousing in the upper portion of the frame-work of the press. Meshed withthe teeth of the pinion 101 are two above-mentioned racks 94.

It will be noted that attached to the framework 8, on one side thereof,is an enclosure or guard 103, and that a similar guard 104 is attachedto the other side of the framework. Each housing has an aperture 105 inits top wall and a vertically-alined aperture 106 in its bottom wall,the aperture serving to permit vertical movement of the respective racksthrough each housing. The object of the guards is to cover the sprocketwheels 100 and the chains 99.

Pivotally connected, at one end, to the arm 84, as shown in Fig. 4, is arod 107 which, at its other or lower end, is connected to a clamp 108,the latter being afi'ixed to a vertical rod 108a. The last-named rod isdisposed slidingly within two guides 109 and 110, respectively, bothbeing mounted upon the upper portion of the framework. Coiled about thelast-named rod 108a, and bearing from above against said guide 10, is aspring 111 which at one end is connected to said rod. A collar 112, heldin place upon said rod by a screw 113, bears normal ly against theunderside of a bar 136a attached to plate 136, as shown in Fig. 4.

I By way of a further description of this part of the press, I wish toadd that numeral indicates a switch box in an electric circuit designedto control the operation of the piston in the pneumatic cylinder 16, andthat numeral 161 indicates an arm operating a switch in said switch box,the arm being disposed in the path of the move inept of the bar 136extending from plate 136 of the ram of the press. The bar includes afinger 13615 which at one end is pivotally connected to said bar 136aand is held in horizontal alinement therewith by a spring which is notshown but which permits temporary deflection of the finger, underpressure, from its normal horizontal position. As the means foroperation of the piston and electric control means for the operation ofthe piston are well known and form no part of this invention, nodescription thereof is given herein.

At this juncture I wish to refer to the drawings in Fig. which disclosea length of a rack, such as rack 93, and a short rack 56a analogous torack 38 shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the faces of the teeth insaid racks, as seen in profile, are not flat, but curved. Specifically,the upper face 162 of each tooth of rack 93 is convex, while thecorresponding or lower face 163 of a tooth in rack 56a, which tooth isto bear against said face 163, is concave. The object of this formationof the teeth is to secure more intimate engagement between the teeth ofthe short rack, such as rack 56, and the teeth of the vertically-slidingrack, such as rack 93.

I shall now refer to the base 12 of the framework and the means designedto support a bolster plate or other members towards which the ram is toexert pressure. As above stated, the press is mounted upon a vehicle.However, this is a feature which is merely optional so that theoperation of the press is in no way dependent thereon.

The vehicle which supports the press includes a platform 121 mountedupon ground wheels 120. For normal operation of the press, the bolsterplate 122 of the press is supported on two demountable props, each ofwhich is generally marked by numeral 123. Each of the props is made ofheavy plate stock bent into an L-shaped form including a short arm 124and a long arm 125, the two arms being set at right angle to each otherand being kept in said relation by an angle brace 126. The shorter arm124 terminates with an integrally-formed hook or flange 124a extendingparallel to the longer arm 125. The flange contains an aperture 127,while the arm itself contains, in the portion adjoining said flange, apair of apertures 12%. The longer arm 125 includes, at its outer end, apartly inwardly-bent tail end 129 which is provided with a pair ofapertures 130 and a tab 129a which contains a hole 130a.

The props are designed for use in such a position that the planes of theplate stock are set at right angle to the platform 121. Extending fromthe upper edge of each prop are a plurality of tabs 131, each containinga plurality of holes for application of bolts by means of which thebolster plate may be secured to said props in its position on the topthereof, as shown in Fig. 1. Similar tabs 131a extend from the loweredge of each prop. Extending from the short arm 124 to the long, arm 125are two tie rods 133 which serve as a means for connection of therespective prop to the framework of the press. For this purpose, theoutwardly-turned flange 11 from each wall 10 of the framework containstwo apertures 134, and it is through these apertures that the tie rodsextend from one arm 124 to the other arm 125. To prevent dislocation ofthe tie rod from the arms or either arm of the respective prop, its endsare preferably threaded and equipped with nuts 135.

It will be first assumed that the bolster plate is to be supported bysaid props 123. For this purpose, both of them are brought forwardly ofthe flanges 11 of the framework of the press. One of such props isalready shown in a forwardly-shifted position in Fig. 11. The otherprop, which is in its rearward position, is to be also shifted forwardlytill the short flange 124a at one end of its arm 124 will be in parallelabutment with the similar flange 124a of the other arm 124 whenapertures 127 in said flanges will be alined. Thereupon, a rod 144 maybe thrust into said apertures to keep the props in place.

Another tie rod, which is not shown, may be used to join the tail ends129 of the props when theyare in their rearward position. One of suchprops in said rearward position is shown in Fig. 1. The opposite rod isshown in such rearward position in Fig. 11.

When both props are in the forwardly-shifted position, tabs 131a aresecured by screws to the platform 121, whereupon the bolster plate maybe placed upon the props and secured to the props by means of screwswhich are to be applied to the plate through holes 132 in tabs 131.

When the press is to be used for purposes requiring no bolster plate,as, for instance, when molds are to be used for the purpose of forming adesired object, the props 123 may be shifted rearwardly, as exemplifiedby the prop shown in the lower right hand corner of Fig. 11. In such acase, the space normally occupied by the props may be used for themounting of a mold shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12. The complementaryinner member 151 of the mold would be attached to the lower plate 136 ofthe ram of the press. Numeral 152 indicates an object formed by means ofthe molds.

Now, in order to describe the operation of the ram, it will be assumedthat the piston rod 18 is in its Withdrawn position as shown in Fig. 3,at which phase the short rack 38 is out of engagement with the long rack93.

It will be further assumed that the beam 56 is located within the upperend of slots 57, in which position its weight may be balanced by coiledsprings disposed with in the vertical bores in the beam and bearingagainst the beam from below, the springs being based within the frame ofthe press below the lower end of said slots 57. One such coiled spring,marked 56a, is shown in Fig. 4.

Another prerequisite for the operation of the ram is that the arrowheadmembers 44 be properly seated on the ends of shaft 29. Specifically,each member must be brought into engagement with a respective groove 42,with the stem 45 being turned up, while the wings 47 bear from belowagainst the bottom surfaces 39a of shoulders 39 on brackets 36, as shownin Fig. 6.

Next, it will be assumed that the ram is to be brought down towards thebolster plate. Initially, this may be done by means of the hand wheel97. As the wheel is rotated manually, the pinion 95, which is driven bysaid wheel and which is in mesh with the rack 93, will impart' to saidrack a longitudinal movement downwardly. As the shaft which supportssaid hand wheel 97 carries two sprocket wheels 93 which, by means ofendless chains, are connected to similar sprocket wheels 100 on aparallel shaft, including a pinion 101, and as the latter is in meshwith two other racks 94, the ram, which is supported by all three racks,will move downwardly with said racks.

In the course of the downward movement of. the ram, bar 136a willencounter the collar 112 on red 108a and force said rod, by means ofsaid collar, downwardly against the tension of spring 111. As clamp 108,which is secured to said rod 1138a is connected to the lever 84, and asthe latter is connected to the cross pin 85a of the yoke 85, thedownward movement of the rod 108a will cause the cross pin 85a to bearfrom above against the links 67 and 63, and will cause said links toswing the short rack 38 into mesh with the rack 93 as shown in Fig. 4.Immediately thereafter, in the course of the downward movement of saidrod 108a, the clamp 108, mounted on the rod, will depress an arm 161.which will close a switch included in an electric circuit which controlsthe flow of the fluid medium operating the piston in the cylinder 16. Asa result, the piston rod will be forced out of the cylinder from theposition shown in solid lines in Fig. 3 to a position shown in solidlines in Fig. 4.

The piston rod, bearing against the lever 20, will cause the link 23 tobear against the knuckle joint of the toggle where the arms of thetoggle are secured to each other by means of the pin 24.

The pressure of the link 23 against said joint will cause the arms 25and 26 of the toggle to spread apart, in the course of which the lowerarm 26, best shown in Fig. 6, will bear against the shaft 29, and bymeans thereof will swing the member shown in Fig. 9 from the pivotalconnection to ears 55 towards the rack 93. This will bring the teeth ofthe short rack 38 into mesh with the teeth of the rack 93.

As the downward movement of the piston shall continue, said short rack38, actuated by said arm 26 of the toggle, will force down the beam 56and thereby move the rack 93 downwardly. The downward movement of saidrack 93 will be transferred, by means of the sprocket wheels and chains,to the pinion 101 engaged with the two racks. The diameters of all thesprocket wheels are the same. Similarly, the diameter of pinion 63 isthe same as that of pinion 101 so that all three racks will movedownwardly at the same rate of speed. This will continue or may continueto the limit of the downward movement of the beam 56.

As the ram is but a means for support of a punch or an analogous memberdes gned for operation with a die secured to the top surface of thebolster plate of the press, the downward movement of the ram will be setto terminate at the suitable level with respect to said bolster plate.

In connection with the swing of the short rack 38 toward the rack 93,attention is invited to the spur 78 at the free end of link 67 which atthe opposite end is connected to link 68. The swing of the rack 38towards said rack 93 causes said spur 70 to be swung upwardly so thatwith the descent of the beam 56 the spur will encounter I the pawl 80.The latter will be deflected downwardly on contact with the spur whichwill be moved with said beam to a position shown in Fig. 4 at a levelbelow said pawl.

On conclusion of the downward movement of the ram, the piston rod willbe automatically withdrawn into the cylinder in response to the meanscontrolling the operation of the piston within said cylinder, and as aresult thereof, the following movements of the operative parts of themechanism described herein will take place:

Moving upwardly, the piston 18 will pull up lever 20,

which by means of the link 23 will cause the toggle arms 25 and 26 tofold up, that is, to converge towards each other. The wings 47 of member44, one of which is seated at each end of shaft 29 at the lower end ofarm 26, will serve to lift the member which includes the short rack 38and which at its upper end is hinged to the beam 56. As the beam ispulled upwardly, the spur 70, at its free end of link 67, will encountersaid pawl 80 and will be depressed by said pawl downwardly. This willresult in a clockwise swing of the other end of said link 67 and a pullupon the short swing rack 38 away from the rack 93 till the two rackswill be disengaged from the respective positions shown in dotted linesin Fig. 4 to the positions shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

-In cases where the ram is to be employed in molding operations, asexemplified in Fig. 12, the procedure is the same in all respects exceptthat the props 123 are shifted out of the way rearwardly upon theplatform 121, and that the ram may have to travel for a considerabledistance before the bar 136a will initiate the operative cycle of thepiston 18 in combination with the toggle mechanism described above.

If it should be desired, or when needed to adjust thepart of the pressfor best results, the press may be operated without the togglemechanism. In such a case, the arrowhead members 44 mounted at the endsof shaft 29 may be shifted from the grooves 43 away from the shoulders39 on brackets 36. This would permit lowering of the beam 56 while theshaft, at the lower end of arm 26 of the toggle, would remain in astationary position.

With the toggle disengaged from the beam, the ram could be oprated as anarbor press manually, by means of the hand wheel 97 which is adapted todrive pinion 95, best shown in Fig. 4, and by means of amanually-operated lever in the last or operative stage of the downwardmovement of the ram.

The lever 171 would be fulcrumed at the rear of the framework of thepress within the block 83, as shown at 172, and would operate the togglein the same manner as the lever 20 which is operated by the piston rod18.

Assuming that the beam 56 should be disposed in the upper end of theslideway 57 and thatthe short rack 38 should be in a disengaged positionwith relation to rack 93, a downward movement of the ram as effected bysaid hand wheel would, in the manner already described, actuate rods108a and rod 107 and cause links 67 and 68 to swing thte short rack 38into engagement with the rack 93. It is at this stage that the handlever would be used to bear against the toggle 56 and to force the ramdownwardly against objects supported by the bolster plate of the pressin the same manner as if the toggle were operated by power means.

While the mechanism described by me, including poweroperated togglemeans for application to a ram, has been shown as used in a verticalpress, it will be understood that said mechanism may be also employed ina horizontal position or any other position, and in other machines andstructures than a press.

It will be further understood that a number of changes may be made inthe structural elements of the press described herein and that suchchanges may be made without departing beyond the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

What I, therefore, wish to claim is as follows:

1. In a press including a vertical frame and a vertically-moving ramconsisting of vertical rack means and a horizontal plate member at thelower ends thereof, a horizontal beam disposed crosswise to the rackmeans, the ends of the beambeing disposed in vertical slideways in saidframe, a short swing rack at one end pivotally connected to the beam andadapted to be swung towards the last-named rack means for engagementtherewith, a toggle having two arms pivotally connected endwise by meansof a knuckle joint, the arms being normally disposed at an angle to eachother, the outer end of one arm being pivotally secured to the frame,the outer end of the other arm being connected to said swing rack, acylinder within the upper end of the frame, a reciprocating pistonwithin the cylinder, a rod connected to the piston and extending out ofthe cylinder, the piston being adapted to be operated by fluid meansunder pressure, the outer end of the piston being connected, byintermediate means, to the toggle, manual means to operate the ram,means responsive to the movement of the ram downwardly to bring theswing rack into engagement with the rack means of the ram and to causethe rod of the piston to bear against the toggle to force the ramdownwardly by means of said swing rack.

2. In a press including a vertical frame and a vertically-moving ramconsisting of vertical rack means and a horizontal plate member at thelower end thereof, a horizontal beam disposed transversely to said rackmeans, the ends of the beam being disposed in vertical slideways in saidframe for a vertical movement of said beam, the latter being providedwith a pair of arms extending therefrom towards the rear of the frame, ashort swing rack at one end pivotally connected to the beam and adaptedto be swung towards the last-named rack means for engagement therewith,link means pivotally connected to the beam and normally keeping theswing rack out of engagement with the rack means of the ram, a. leverpivotally secured to the frame and adapted to engage the link means, atoggle having two arms pivotally connected endwise by means of a knucklejoint, the arms being normally disposed at an angle to each other, theouter end of one arm being pivotally secured to the frame, the outer endof the other arm being connected to said swing rack, a cylinder withinthe upper end of the frame, a reciprocating piston within the cylinder,the piston being adapted to be operated by fluid means under pressure,the outer end of the piston being connected, by intermediate means, tothe toggle to impart a divergent movement to its arms, manual means tomove the ram downwardly, means operated by the ram on its downwardmovement to cause the lever to bring the swing rack into engagement withthe rack means of the ram and to cause the rod of the piston to bearagainst the toggle to cause its arms to spread apart to impart adownward thrust to the ram by means of said rack.

3. In a press including a vertical frame and a vertically-moving ramconsisting of a plurality of racks and plate means supported by saidracks at the lower ends thereof, a horizontal shaft journalled at itsends in bear ings within the frame and provided with axially-disposedpinion means, the pinion means being in engagement with at least onerack, a hand wheel for the operation of said pinion, a similar shaftwith similar pinion means disposed parallel to the first-named shaft,the last-named pinion means being in engagement with the other racks,sprocket wheel and endless chain means connecting the the two shafts tosecure uniform rotation of both, a horizontal beam disposed crosswise tothe racks, the ends of the beam being disposed in vertical slideways inthe frame to allow the beam to be moved vertically therein, the beambeing provided with arms extending therefrom towards the rear of saidframe, a short swing rack pivotally secured at its upper end to theupper portion of the beam and adapted to be swung towards at least onerack of the plurality of said racks for engagement therewith, a toggleincluding two arms connected endwise by a knuckle joint and normallydisposed at an angle to each other, the outer end of one arm beingsecured to the frame above said joint, the other arm being secured tosaid short rack, a cylinder within the upper portion of the frame, apiston adapted to be reciprocated within the cylinder by fluid meansunder pressure, a rod connected to the piston and extending from thecylinder, the outer end of the rod being adapted to bear against theknuckle joint of the toggle to impart a divergent movement to the armsthereof, link means pivotally connected to the beam and normally keepingthe swing rack out of engagement with the racks of the ram, a leverpivotally secured to the frame and adapted to engage the link means, thepinion operated by the hand wheel being adapted to move the racks of theram downwardly, means mounted on the frame and adapted to be operated bythe ram on its movement downwardly to actuate the lever to bear againstthe link means to bring the swing rack into engagement with the rack orracks of the ram and to initiate a movement of the piston rod againstthe toggle to force the ram downwardly by means of said swing rack.

4. In a press including a vertical frame and a vertically-moving ramconsisting of a plurality of racks and plate means supported by saidracks at the lower ends thereof, a horizontal shaft journalled at itsends in bearings within the frame and provided with axially-disposedpinion means, the pinion means being in engagement with at least onerack, a similar shaft with similar pinion means disposed parallel to thefirst-named shaft, the lastnamed pinion means being in engagement withthe other racks, sprocket wheel and endless chain means connecting thetwo shafts to secure uniform rotation of both, a horizontal beamdisposed crosswise to the racks, the ends of the beam being disposed invertical slideways in the frame to allow the beam to be moved verticallytherein, the beam being provided with arms extending therefrom towardsthe rear of said frame, a member pivotally secured to the upper end ofthe beam and including at its upper portion bracket means provided withvertical slots, the lower portion of the member including a short swingrack, the teeth of the rack facing the 19 teeth of at least one rack ofthe ram, a toggle including two arms connected endwise by a knucklejoint and normally disposed at an angle to each other, the outer end ofone member being secured to the frame above said knuckle joint, the endof the other arm being secured to a horizontal shaft, the ends of whichare disposed in the vertical slots in said brackets, a cylinder withinthe upper end of the frame, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder,a rod connected to the piston and extending outwardly from the cylinder,the piston being adapted to be operated by fluid means under pressure,the outer end of the piston being adapted to bear, by intermediatemeans, against the knuckle joint of the toggle to impart a divergentmovement to the arms of said toggle, link means pivotally connected tothe beam for normally keeping the swing rack out of engagement with theracks of the ram, a lever pivotally secured to the frame and adapted toengage the link means, the pinion operated by the hand wheel beingadapted to move the racks of the ram downwardly, means mounted on theframe and adapted to be operated by the ram on its movement downwardlyto actuate the lever to bear against the link means to bring the swingrack into engagement with the rack or racks of the ram and to initiate amovement of the piston rod against the toggle to force the ramdownwardly by means of said swing rack, and stationary means projectingfrom the frame to engage the other end of said link means to pull saidshort rack out of engagement with the rack or racks of the ram on thereturn movement of the beam when pulled upwardly by the return movementof the piston rod.

5. In a press including a vertically extending frame and avertically-moving ram consisting of vertical rack means and a horizontalplate member at the lower end thereof, a horizontal beam disposedtransversely to said rack means, the ends of the beam being disposed invertical slideways in said frame for a vertical movement of said beam,the latter being provided with a pair of arms extending therefromtowards the rear of the frame, a horizontal shaft journalled within thebeam crosswise to the rack means, a pinion mounted upon said shaft andmeshed with said rack means, a hand wheel at. the end of the shaft forsaid pinion, a short swing rack at one end pivotally connected to thebeam and adapted to be swung towards the last-named rack means forengagement therewith, a pair of parallel arms extending laterally fromthe beam, link means at one end connected to said arms and connected atthe other end to the swing rack in order to keep the swing rack normallyout of engagement with the rack means of the ram, a lever at one endpivotally connected to a stationary member and adapted to bear againstthe link means, a toggle having two arms pivotally connected endwise bymeans of a knuckle joint, the arms being normally disposed at an angleto each other, the outer end of one arm being pivotally secured to theframe, the outer end of the other arm being connected to said swingrack, a cylinder within the upper end of the stand, a reciprocatingpiston within the cylinder, the piston being adapted to be operated byfluid means under pressure, electric control means to initiate themovement of the piston, the means including a switch for said controlmeans, the outer end of the piston being connected, by intermediatemeans, to the toggle to impart a divergent movement to its arms, meansresponsive to the movement of the ram downwardly to cause the lever tobear against the link means to swing the swing rack into engagement withthe rack means of the ram and to trip the switch, and stationary meansprojecting from the frame to engage the other end of said link means topull said short rack out of engagement with the rack means of the ram onthe return or upward movement of the beam.

6. In a press including a vertical frame and a verticallymoving ramconsisting of vertical rack means and a horizontal plate member at thelower end thereof, a horizontal beam disposed transversely to said rackmeans, the

ends of the beam being disposed in vertical slideways in said frame fora vertical movement of said beam, the latter being provided with a pairof arms extending therefrom towards the rear of the frame, a horizontalshaft journalled within the beam crosswise to the rack means, a pinionmounted upon said shaft and meshed with said rack means, a hand wheel atthe end of the shaft for said pinion, a short swing rack at one endpivotally connected to the beam and adapted to be swung towards thelastnamed rack means for engagement therewith, a toggle having two armspivotally connected endwise by means of a knuckle joint, the arms beingnormally disposed at an angle to each other, the outer end of one armbeing pivotally secured to the frame, the outer end of the other armbeing connected to said swing rack, a cylinder within the upper end ofthe frame, a reciprocating piston within the cylinder, the piston beingadapted to be operated by fluid means under pressure, the outer end ofthe piston being connected, by intermediate means, to the toggle toimpart a divergent movement to its arms and to cause the lower arm ofthe toggle to bear against the swing rack, electric control means toinitiate the movement of the piston, the means including a switch forsaid control means, foldable link means connecting the beam to the swingrack, a lever at one end pivotally connected to the frame, a rodextending from the lever and serving as a means of causing the lever tobear against the link means to spread them from the normal foldedposition, means mounted on the ram to pull the lever and thereby tospread the links to cause the swing rack to be brought into engagementwith the rack means of the ram, means on the ram to close the switch,and stationary means projecting from the frame and adapted, on thereturn movement of the ram, to engage the links and to pull the swingrack, by means of said links, out of engagement with the rack means ofthe ram.

7. In a press including a frame, a ram movable therein, the ramconsisting of parallel rack means and a transverse plate at theoperative end of said rack means, a movable beam disposed transverselyto the rack means in a spaced relation thereto, the ends of the beambeing disposed in slideways in the frame, a short swing rack pivotallyconnected to the beam and adapted to be brought into engagement with therack means, link means pivotally connected to the beam so as to keep theswing rack normally out of engagement with said rack means, a togglehaving two arms pivotally connected endwise by means of a knuckle joint,the arms being normally disposed at an angle to each other, the outerend of one arm being pivotally secured to the frame, the outer end ofthe other arm being connected to said swing rack, a cylinder within theupper end of the frame, a reciprocating piston within the cylinder, arod connected to the piston and extending out of the cylinder, thepiston being adapted to be operated by fluid means under pressure, theouter end of the piston being connected, by intermediate means, to thetoggle, manually-operated means to impart a longitudinal movement to theram, means responsive to said movement of the ram to cause the linkmeans to bring the swing rack into engagement with said rack means andto cause the piston rod to impart a divergent movement to the arms ofthe toggle to impart a continued longitudinal movement to said rackmeans by means of said swing rack.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

